Bag holding rack for use in conventional dishwashing machine

ABSTRACT

A rack for holding inverted plastic storage bags includes at least one tine with head bar member for bag rest. Head bar members may include ribs to properly hold and allow for cleaning of the bags. Shielding walls may form a case around the tines and thus protect the bags mounted therein. Walls may include apertures to allow for some flow of direct cleaning solution to bags present in the case. Base member supports tines and may include apertures or convex shape to allow for proper flow of fluids. The invention also includes a method for sanitizing bags in a conventional dishwashing machine by shielding the bags from too much direct heat transfer.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to washing of food containers. More particularly, the invention relates to racks for washing and drying various sized reusable plastic storage bags.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Reusable storage bags are commonly used to store foods stuffs and other loose fitting small items. These storage bags have become widely popular due to the convenience they provide. Many companies are known to produce such goods, and yet there remain a limited number of standard sizes sold on the retail market (e.g. sandwich, snack, gallon, etc.).

Generally, such storage bags are widely mass-produced from thin durable and transparent plastic sheets or other like materials. The sheets can be sealed together on three edges, thus forming a pouch, having a re-sealable closing mechanism, generally consisting of a zipper, employed to close off the remaining end. Many bags have reclosable seals along one side to ensure proper access, storage, and reuse, allowing a user to remove partial amounts of content, reseal the bag, and return the remainder to a proper storage location.

The main problem, and benefit, from these resealable plastic bags is in the convenience of disposability. Unfortunately, the cost of plastics, and thus bags, is cumulative, and bag disposal contributes large amounts of solid waste.

A major reason for disposal of the bags, even after a single use, is that such bags are often used to store perishable food items. Small food particles, or droplets, tend to adhere to the interior plastic surfaces. The presence of organic material can foster pathogenic growth, rendering the reusable bags unsafe for continued storage. A solution to this problem is to thoroughly wash and sanitize the bags to remove this leftover material. Manually washing the bags is not an effective means, due to the thin and flexible nature of the plastic sheeting used to create the bags. In addition to being an unnecessary, time consuming process, manual washing may be ineffective, as the sides of the bags tend to stick together to prevent access of cleaning solution and air for drying.

Many prior art racks have been envisioned for use in a conventional dishwasher. However, such racks lack the ability to properly open, sanitize, protect, drain and dry the bags. In addition use of many of these racks tends to cause unwanted residue build up on the racks, which in turn may require separate washing, sanitizing and drying of the racks.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a standard washing machine insert apparatus for the cleaning of standard reusable plastic storage bags.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a rack to properly sanitize a storage bag.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a drainable rack for hanging and washing storage bags.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a rack to hold multiple sized storage bags.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art as the description of the present invention proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for cleaning a reusable storage bag in a conventional dishwashing machine is provided with a generally rectangular base, sized to slide into a conventional dishwashing machine rack. The base is capable of supporting a plurality of tines. The base may include apertures to allow outflow of fluids, and/or the base may include a generally convex top to allow flow of fluids off of the base. A tine is mounted on the base, with a head member set substantially proximate to the top, wherein the head member is adapted to provide a rest for an inverted storage bag. A wall extending along the base-line shields the tine. The wall may include one or many apertures to allow for flow of cleaning solution, in the form of fluids or gas, to reach the tine. A second wall may be placed on the opposite side of the base. A third wall may cover the end of the base and may be connected to the first two walls. A fourth wall may sit under the base and connect with the other three walls to create a case for the base and may house the tines as well. The case may be adapted to allow for easy replacement of the base and tines. The base may have a second headed tine mounted thereupon, the second tine being displaced from the first tine at a predetermined distance. The distance may correspond with the standard size of a reusable storage bag. The apparatus may include a third tine, set apart from the second tine to allow rest of a standard sized bag, and apart from the first tine to rest another sized storage bag.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present inventions an apparatus for use in cleaning and drying a reusable storage bag in a conventional dishwashing machine is provided. A generally rectangular base sized to slide into a conventional dishwashing machine rack. The base is capable of supporting a plurality of tines. A tine, with a head member at its top, is mounted to the base. The head member is adapted to provide a rest for an inverted storage bag, and includes at least one rib adapted to provide further access to a surface of the inverted storage bag for cleaning and drying purposes. A second tine may be mounted to the base at a predetermined vector displacement from the first tine. A head member on the second tine may be set substantially parallel to one another such that the first and second head bar members are aligned along a single axis. A third headed tine may be mounted to the base, whereby the third head bar member is substantially parallel to the first and second head bar members, but aligned in a second row offset from the single axis formed by the head members of the first and second tines.

The present invention also includes a method for sanitizing plastic storage bags in a conventional dish washing machine. A storage bag is placed in an automatic dishwasher. The bag is supported such that the opening of the bag is kept open during operation of the dishwasher, so that cleaning solution may be directed into the storage bag and allowed to drain out of the storage bag. The bag is shielded by a shielding wall, which may include at least one appropriate aperture to allow for flow of cleaning solution to storage bag. The dishwashing machine is then operated through a wash cycle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may more readily be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dishwasher insert holding multiple bags;

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an inverted storage bag;

FIG. 2 is a disassembled view of the dishwasher insert, with the base removed from the case;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the base and tines taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional head-on view of an alternative preferred embodiment of the base demonstrating the convex top with attached tines;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the alternative preferred embodiment of the base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 illustrates rack 1. Case 30 partially encloses base 40 on four of six sides. Case 30 covers bottom of base 40 with under wall 35, two sides with side walls 32 and 33, and end with end wall 34. Remaining open end 6 and open top 5 provide access to interior of case 30. Case rim 37 runs along the edges of the case, exposed at open top 5 and open end 6. Rim 37 may be straight, or any design contemplated for design effectiveness or ergonomic properties. Walls 32, 33, 34 and 35 can be connected at edges 36. In the preferred embodiment, case 30 is one single-molded plastic body, however, it is contemplated that for shielding, or other purposes, case walls may be separable or interchangeable to properly complement any standard dishwasher (rack) types, or for any particular washing and or drying needs.

Second side wall 33 is shown with apertures 31. Case walls 32, 33, 34 and 35 generally contain apertures 31. Apertures 31 may be circular in shape and set in rows, columns, or alternating rows, or whatever arrangement is contemplated for protection of the case interior, aesthetics or otherwise. In the preferred embodiment, circular apertures of an approximate ⅓″ diameter are set in rows within side walls 32 and 33. Approximately one hundred to one hundred-fifty such apertures are used in each side wall. Under wall 35 includes apertures of less than ¼″ diameter, using more than one hundred-fifty such apertures for proper fluid and gas flow. End wall 34, may include apertures as set along side walls 32 and 33, or on under wall 35, or none at all. Base 40 includes floor 44 and sides 45. Sides 45 may include apertures 41 that may be circular in shape, however, for functionality in the preferred arrangement, are set in vertically-elongated rectangles in order ensure proper outflow of liquids that may build up within the base. Base rim 42 denotes the top edge of base 40. Tines 10 mount within base 40 along base floor 44 and extend upwardly from floor 44. Tines 10 include head bar members 12 proximate to the top 11 of the tines. Head bar member(s) 12 provide resting for an inverted storage bag 2, shown apart in FIG. 1A. Storage bag 2, consists of sheets 4 and seal 3. Seal 3 is generally along opening 5 at the top of the bag (shown inverted). Storage bags 2 may be set over tines 10. Tines 10, mounted on base 40, may then be set into case 30. Storage bags 2 may be applied over tines 10 either within case 30 or before putting base assembly into case 30.

Referring to FIG. 2, upwardly extending tines 10 may be set in rows 20 and/or columns 21. The preferred embodiment includes four columns and three rows. Tines 10 are preferably set in rows 20 and spaced apart such that the distance between the furthest reaching head bar member ends 16 of one or more tines 10 corresponds with varied types and sizes of conventional storage bags. For instance, a sandwich-sized bag 2 may fit completely over a single tine 10 and head bar member 12 (as shown in FIG. 1). However, larger standard-sized bags, such as gallon-sized bags are longer and taller. These bags may be fit over multiple head bar members 12 in a single row 20, thus the storage bag is supported and opened more fully by multiple tines 10. For particular cleaning or drying purposes, a single bag 2 may be set upon tines 10 of multiple columns 21 as well, to further increase the open volume within storage bag 2 and allow for better access by cleaning solution and drying air.

Tines 10 may be generally 8.5″ in height and made of ¼″ plastic tubes. The height of the tines is set to allow use with most types of storage bags. Side walls 32 and 33 are generally 9.5″ in length and 11″ in height. It is contemplated that such dimensions may be altered in future versions of rack 1, in order to accommodate alternative sized storage bags. Side walls 32 and 33 are preferably spaced apart no more than 3″ to give case 30 an approximate 3″ width to allow for convenient use in the cleaning racks of most conventional dishwashing machines. Tines 10 may be arranged in rows 20, with head bar ends 16 positioned proximate and apart from one another. The distance between adjacent ends 16 is enough such that the thickness of two bag sheets 4 can easily fit there between with ample space for passing air. Additionally, tines 10 may be constructed of a semi-hard plastic to allow for minor bending of tines 10. The preferred plastics used to construct the times include Merflex PEX OT ¼″ CTS cNSFus-pw B125 C1-TD U. P. Code ASME A112.18.6. Furthermore, mounts 43 may be constructed in a fashion to allow for minor to moderate waving of tines 10 under enough lateral force, as contemplated to allow an average person to manipulate and maneuver tines 10 to allow for placement of storage bags 2 on and between tines 10. Distance between the farthest reaching ends 16 of a pair of tine head bar members 12 approximates the width of a conventional storage bag 2. Three tines 10 set in a row 20 may also approximate the size of a larger conventional storage bag 2 via the distance between the farthest reaching ends 16. The same may be so for four and more tines in a row. The preferred embodiment includes head bar members converted from T-joints as those manufactured by Orbit Irrigation Products, Inc. of P.O. Box 328 Bountiful, Utah 84011, under the trade name ORBIT®.

Certain conventional storage bags now include a volume enhancing shape that includes a broader depth of bag. For this type of storage bag 2, two adjacent tines 10 in a single column 21 may be used to hold up an inverted bag 2 while keeping the bag open and bag interior 7 accessible to cleaning solution, while maintaining sheets 4 apart from one another. Such column bag placement strategy may be employed with all types of bags and along any arrangement of tines rows and/or columns as may be fit for proper cleaning of storage bags.

Shielding becomes necessary to properly sanitize bags without unduly harming or destroying the bags and or the bag functionality. Typical plastic storage bags 2 are made from polyethylene plastic with a softening point of approximately one-hundred-ninety-five degrees Fahrenheit. Typical dishwashing machines generate high temperature cleaning solutions, in liquid and gaseous forms, that meet or exceed the softening point of these bags. Further, direct contact with steam may exacerbate the softening, as heat transfer upon contact with plastic may cause melting. Exposing bags 2 to boiling cleaning solution, or putting bag 2 into an environment commonly found in an activated dishwasher, the plastic bags can begin to melt. This becomes a major concern as leading to possible contamination with carcinogens often present in plastics.

Although there is a risk of bag 2 melting and contamination, there is also a countervailing concern of sanitizing, via killing of pathogens with extreme heat. The inside temperature of the standard dishwashing machine generally reaches a temperature high enough to cause such sanitization. In order to shield bag 2 from excessive heat transfer via too much direct contact with super-heated cleaning solution particles, a permeable shielding wall (at least one of walls 32, 33, 34 and/or 35), or case 30, lessens the amount of direct exposure and lengthens the distance of such superheated particles emitted from dishwashing cleaning mechanisms into interior of case 30.

Tine head bar members 12 may be fitted with ribs 13 that sit along the circumference of the head bar member 12 as shown in FIG. 5. Ribs 13 may be complete ribs 13, or may be stepped partial ribs 14. Ribs provide additional spacing between head bar members 12 and sheets 4 to allow for better cleaning. Ribs 13 also provide better friction for holding a mounted inverted storage bag 2 during the course of cleaning.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, an alternative embodiment includes base 40 with convex shape. Angularly disposed walls 50 meet at upper point along line 52. The bottom edges of angularly disposed walls 50 provide a rest for base 40 at feet 53 to rest within case 30 on under wall 35 (as seen in FIG. 1). Angularly disposed walls 50 include apertures 51 to allow water, or any liquid, to pass onto under wall 35 and through under wall apertures 31 into main dishwashing machine basin. Angularly disposed walls 50 may form an inverted V-shape, U-shape, or any shape contemplated to allow flow of fluid across the surface, and may be formed of a single or multiple walls. Such angularly disposed walls of all types may also be referred to as convex surface, as a portion of the top surface extends upwardly from the elongated and substantially parallel side edges of the base, to allow for proper downward flow of fluids. Tines 10 are mounted into base 40 via tine mounts 43. Tine mounts may include a hollow boss 47 into which tine bottom 15 is placed. Although the preferred embodiment includes permanently mounted tines 10, it is contemplated that tines may be removable for cleaning and maintenance of rack 1 itself.

The present invention has been described in terms of selected specific embodiments of the invention incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of the principles of construction and operation of the invention. Such reference herein to a specific embodiment and details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made in the embodiments chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. An apparatus for cleaning a reusable storage bag in a conventional dishwashing machine comprising: a base for supporting a plurality of upwardly extending tines, said base comprising two elongated and substantially parallel side edges, said side edges spaced apart from one another at a predetermined width adapted to allow said base to slide into a conventional dishwashing machine rack; a first tine mounted to said base forming a mount; a first head member set substantially proximate to a top of said first tine, said first head member adapted to provide a rest for an inverted storage bag; and a first wall extending along at least one of said side edges and provided along said first tine so as to substantially shield said first tine.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second tine mounted to said base, said second tine mounted at a predetermined displacement from mount of said first tine.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: said second tine comprises a second head member, said second head member set substantially proximate to a top of said second tine, said second head member adapted to provide a rest for an inverted storage bag; and wherein said predetermined displacement of said first and said second tines is adapted to support a width of a standard-size reusable storage bag along said first and said second head members.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a third tine, wherein: said third tine comprises a third head member; said third head member set substantially proximate to a top of said third tine, said third head member adapted to provide a rest for an inverted storage bag; wherein said third tine mounted at a predetermined displacement from mounting of said first tine; and wherein said predetermined displacement of said first and third tines is adapted to support a width of another standard-sized reusable storage bag along said first and said third head members.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said third tine is mounted at a predetermined displacement from mounting of said second tine, wherein said predetermined displacement of said third and said second tines is adapted to support a width of yet another standard-sized reusable storage bag.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said wall comprises at least one aperture to allow passage of cleaning solution to the inverted storage bag.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second wall extending along the other of said at least one of said side edges.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said base comprises two substantially parallel end edges, said apparatus further comprising a third wall along one of said end edges.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said third wall meets with said first wall and said second wall.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a fourth wall set under said base to meet with said first, second, and third walls to form a case substantially surrounding said base and said first tine.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said case is adapted to allow access to said base apart from said case.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said base comprises apertures to allow outflow of fluids.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said base comprises a substantially convex top surface to allow fluid to flow off of said base.
 14. An apparatus for use in cleaning and drying a reusable storage bag in a conventional dishwashing machine comprising: a base for supporting a plurality of upwardly extending tines, said base comprising two elongated and substantially parallel side edges, said side edges spaced apart from one another at a predetermined width, wherein said predetermined width is adapted to allow said base slide into a conventional dishwashing machine rack; a first tine mounted to said base; a first head bar member set substantially perpendicular to said first tine, wherein said first head bar member is adapted to provide a rest for an inverted storage bag, and wherein said first head bar member comprises at least one rib adapted to provide further access to a surface of the inverted storage bag for cleaning and drying purposes.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising: a second tine mounted to said base, said second tine mounted at a predetermined displacement from mounting of said first tine; a second head bar member set substantially perpendicular to said second tine, wherein said second head bar member is adapted to provide a rest for the inverted storage bag, and wherein said first head bar member and said second head bar member are substantially parallel such that said first head bar member and said second head bar members are aligned along a single axis.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: a third tine mounted to said base; a third head bar member set substantially perpendicular to said third tine, wherein said third head bar member is adapted to provide a rest for another inverted storage bag, and wherein said third head bar member is substantially parallel to said first head bar member and said second head bar member, such that said third head bar member is aligned in a second row offset from said single axis.
 17. A method for sanitizing plastic storage bags in a conventional dish washing machine comprising the steps of: a) placing a storage bag in an automatic dishwasher; b) supporting the bag in the dishwasher; c) keeping the opening of the bag open during operation of the dishwasher, such that cleaning solution may be directed into the storage bag and allowed to drain out of the storage bag; d) shielding the storage bag with a shielding wall; e) operating the dishwasher at least through a wash cycle.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of shielding includes shielding walls set with at least one appropriate aperture to allow for flow of cleaning solution to storage bag. 